Voidspire are a death metal band from Norway who released their debut EP, Vacant Towers, in late 2025 independently in digital format. The EP was re-released on CD and cassette last March via Chaos Records. The band was recommended to me by a friend, whom I’d like to thank for the suggestion. I was immediately drawn to their old-school aesthetic. It's one of the best discoveries of the year.
Vacant Towers is a 17-minute 16-second EP. It is a death metal release imbued with a heavy and sinister atmosphere, evident right from the first track, Forpint av raate. The structure of the tracks shifts between heavy, slow passages and faster sections, with a constant and deliberate aggressive tone. Even on the instrumental track Chimes of Ruin, the atmosphere remains macabre and devoid of emotion. There is a strong old-school feel throughout the EP, particularly evident in its vocals and raw production.
The guitars deliver a raw performance with a few very subtle melodies (in the background) to accentuate the sinister atmosphere, as on the solo in Simpelthen doed from 3:01 onwards. The composition is not monotonous; the rhythm is varied. The drums deliver a series of powerful beats and take centre stage on tracks such as Simpelthen doed and Vacant Towers. It is the drums that reinforce the aggression and provide the balance needed to maintain a morbid atmosphere throughout the EP.
The vocal performance varies between deep growls and higher-pitched ones, as heard on the track Forpint av raate from 4:24 onwards. The best vocal performance, in my opinion, is on the track Simpelthen doed, which is very powerful and exudes brutal energy. Although I sometimes feel that the vocals are slightly muffled in the mix, they remain prominent and impactful nonetheless. The vocals are also the element most heavily inspired by old-school death metal.
Among the moments I particularly enjoyed is the section from 1:08 onwards in Simpelthen doed, a relentless onslaught of aggression that kicks off with powerful vocals, drums that never let up, and cutting guitars that drive the rhythm. My favourite track, however, is Vacant Towers, with its menacing atmosphere that evolves through several sections. I’d even go so far as to say it’s the well-crafted track in terms of its structure.
With Vacant Towers, the Norwegian band Voidspire demonstrate their ability to strike a balance between aggression and atmosphere, delivering authentic death metal that fits perfectly within the old-school realm, as evidenced by the songwriting and production. It is an EP well deserving of attention.
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